The laptop had a virus ("Security Tool" executing program "2642551266.exe") which I deleted. The laptop seems to be better, but now I can't get to the Internet at all. Component Services says "Could not start the IPSEC Services service on the Local Computer Error1068: The dependency service or group failed to start".IPSEC Services Properties show IPSEC Driver, Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and TCP/IP Protocol Driver as dependencies. I can confirm that RPC is running. Event log shows "The TCP/IP Protocol Driver failed to start due to the following error: The specified driver is invalid"What program is it and where can I get a replacement1 person needs an answerI do too

"seems to be better" would not be enough for me. My suggestion is to format and start clean.-- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP --How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Even with a lot of backups, there are certain programs, and data files I doubt I could recover. Next option?

How are you going to lose data files? The machine is up and running - if you don't have backups/access to something to back them up - are they even safe now? Why would you lose programs? As long as you have the installation media and product keys/serial numbers for that software - you are golden. Run Belarc Advisor on the system. Print out the results. It's free and should give you the product keys and installed software for most everything. If you don't have a backup system in place - you should get one now. Anything else is unwise at best. You can double-check the cleanliness of the machine - but who knows how root-kitted and infested it may still be *even after these steps* - and yes - you will have to use USB or CD/DVD to download some things on other computers and get it to the one with the issue I suppose. You might try downloading/installing Firefox onto the machine - see if that can access the Internet. You might also try resetting the network settings and/or downloading and installing the latest drivers for your network devices from the manufacturer's websites of said devices. Run these commands one at a time from the command prompt or the RUN fromthe start menu: netsh winsock reset catalogipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdnsarp -d *nbtstat -RR Might check your Internet Explorer Proxy settings - you likely should have NONE and remove any there. Might rebuild the IPSEC policy:http://www.howtonetworking.com/VPN/rebuildipsec.htm(I have my doubts this is why you cannot get on the Internet.) Still need to cleanup - so... Reboot and logon as an user with administrative priviledges.Fix your file/registry permissions...Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under"Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,"Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377*will take time** Ignore the last step (6) - you should have SP3, but not now if you don't already.You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. Noworries at this time. Reboot and logon as an user with administrative priviledges. Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following(freeware version):SuperAntiSpywarehttp://www.superantispyware.com/Reboot and logon as administrative user.Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following(freeware version):MalwareByteshttp://www.malwarebytes.com/Reboot and logon as administrative user.Download and run the MSRT manually:http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspxYou may find nothing, you may find only cookies, you may think it is awaste of time - but if you do all this and report back here with what youdo/don't find as you are doing all of it - you are adding more pieces tothe puzzle and the entire picture just may become clearer and yourproblem resolved.Reboot and logon as administrative user.Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=enReboot and logon as administrative user.Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to theroot of the C:\ drive, do the following:Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.Start button --> RUN and type in: %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE--> Click OK.(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click onNEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...Reboot and logon as administrative user.Visit this web page:How do I reset Windows Update components?http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the boxfor "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Letit finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit andreboot when it is. (You may need to save tool this someplace given your situation andtransfer it to the machine - like other things.) You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C:)... How to scan your disks for errors http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265 * will take time and a rebootYou should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C:)... How to Defragment your hard drives http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848 * will take time-- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP --How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html